AlphaDogs Returns Theif To Crime Scene At 4K Resolution

Burbank, CA- AlphaDogs is pleased to announce they have completed work on the new film Revision, where a petty thief seeks to atone his past by returning to the house he robbed.  

It was Director Zac Wong’s vision to not only tell a good story but also explore how a film could portray the overlap of human consciousness and memory.  Wong explains, “I was fascinated by the way that we tend to experience several disconnected events in our past simultaneously. I found the feeling of guilt to be the most palpable manifestation of chaotic memory and a great subject for this film.”

AlphaDogs assistant editor Rachel Bartlett and colorist Sean Stack worked collaboratively as team using a round-trip workflow from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve to complete the finish on the film.  Bartlett explains, “We decided on a Premiere Pro and Resolve round-trip workflow because they both work natively with RED 4K media which allows a clear path to a smooth delivery.”

Resolve has a RED camera file management command known as R3D Trim and it was utilized to move the camera media used in the final locked sequence to the shared server at AlphaDogs.  The fast fiber connection to the trimmed source files allowed Stack to navigate quickly, review color grades in Resolve in real-time and render as fast as the GPU would allow, saving valuable time and money.  “The round-trip workflow worked extremely well for this project,” said Stack.  “Resolve had no difficulty rendering out the custom 4K frame size known as 4K Scope (4096 x 1708) for the final trip back into Premiere Pro.”

Specific color choices made by Stack during color correction not only added to the suspense of the story, but also kept the film’s continuity in check.  One scene in particular involved a kitchen sink close-up shot with very warm tones. Stack chose to match a cooler version of the sink as it appeared in a wide shot earlier in the story, allowing for a consistent look throughout the film. “The good news is Resolve is such a powerful tool for color grading, that we had a chance to try both warm and cool temperatures with scenes and truly make a creative decision on what looked and felt the best,” said Stack. Wong comments, “We loved that Sean was able to make subtle adjustments to the color on a micro level that allowed for our characters and story to shine.”

Independently owned and operated, AlphaDogs provides an indie-friendly work environment and has helped make the post-production process both affordable and less stressful for the independent filmmaker for the past 12 years. “Working with the team at AlphaDogs was especially easy. They were not only friendly and accessible, but also responsive and intuitive to our needs as filmmakers,” said Wong.  “We were very happy with the final delivery and that we delivered before the deadline.  We would use AlphaDogs again because of the excellent customer service and the team’s expertise.”

Revision will screen at various festivals later this year.  Wong hopes that audiences will feel as though they are part of the story by getting the chance to play detective by piecing together the fragments of the protagonist’s broken mind.

For more information visit https://pro-labs.imdb.com/title/tt4438280/

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Discover Fairies Living In Gnome Homes

Burbank, CA—Everyone could use a little magic in their lives, and that’s just what the residents of Overland Park, Kansas got unexpectedly in the spring of 2013 when beautifully crafted fairy homes with doors custom-built to fit the hollows of trees mysteriously popped up along a heavily wooded walking trail. Intrigued by the story after reading about it in the Kansas City Star, director/producer Sharon Liese set out to make The Gnomist, a documentary with an initial focus of revealing who was behind the construction of these mysterious houses. “I thought I was going to solve the mystery of who was building the homes, but then I learned that so many people were being kept afloat by these homes, that I realized there was a deeper story to be told.”

Evolving beyond a “whodonit” story, The Gnomist follows the lives of three isolated suburban women who find themselves in Firefly Forest searching for something: an escape from a disturbing divorce; a respite from a devastating injury; and a connection to “Little Owl”, a beloved child taken too soon.  

Liese called upon AlphaDogs once again when it came time to complete the finish for the film. “I chose to work with AlphaDogs on this project because they had completed work on a show I executive produced for MTV and they did a fantastic job. Everyone was so enthusiastic and quickly became part of The Gnomist team. They were passionate about making the film look and sound its best.”

The Gnomist is filmed cinematically with sweeping crane shots far above the branches that move fluidly down to the tiny fairy doors at the base of the tree trunks—introducing this hidden trail in Firefly Forest as a character itself.  Liese also had GoPro and drone footage that she really wanted to match to the rest of the film and wasn’t sure if it could be done.  GoPro footage can be tricky to work with, as mismatching frame rates can appear jittery when edited into the rest of the film. AlphaDogs colorist Sean Stack was able to reduce the amount of motion artifacts within the GoPro footage while creating a rich seamless look for the film using DaVinci Resolve for color grading. “The frame rate problems were solved during finishing for The Gnomist and the result was quite rewarding. It was a feel-good moment for me as a colorist, and it just made the whole experience of working on the film even better.”

Audio for the film required extra attention as the majority of the production sound was recorded with lavaliere microphones, which are sensitive and prone to picking up background and clothing noise.  Inconsistent dialogue levels also presented a problem, depending on where the microphones were positioned on the talent. AlphaDogs audio engineer Curtis Fritsch used multiple plugins in ProTools, finessing the balance between making the audio understandable and avoiding over-processed sound. Fritsch also created a lush sonic background to make Firefly Forest sound more alive. “It was a little tricky, but we ended up having a mix where you could turn your head in any direction and have it sound unique.”

Liese hopes audiences will see the magical power of kindness after seeing The Gnomist. “As a filmmaker, a story like this doesn’t come around often—nonetheless in my own backyard,” said Liese. The Gnomist gave me an opportunity to capture a whimsical story in a beautiful forest and to unveil a powerful arc filled with mystery, human frailty and hope. I noticed that everyone I met in the forest was dealing with some sort of loneliness, some cases severe and devastating. This film inspires change on a root level, reminding us that the simple act of connecting can change someone’s identity”

Produced by Sharon Liese and Oscar winning producer Cynthia Wade, The Gnomist premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival in April and will also screen at Hot Docs in Toronto, Boston IFF, Minneapolis and Newport Beach Film Festival and other festivals throughout the year. For more information visit the film's website.

Watch the trailer online and follow The Gnomist on Facebook for festival screening updates.

About Herizon Productions: Herizon Productions produces documentary-style television programming and documentary films that air on major television networks.  Founder and critically acclaimed award-winning filmmaker Sharon Liese’s philosophy is a simple one: to capture real and untold stories that inspire and entertain viewers.  For more information visit herizonproductions.com.

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit alphadogs.tv.

Kionte Storey Documentary Provides Hope And Inspiration To Wounded Soldiers

Burbank, CA—Those who serve our country do so by choice and with courage and honor. When wounded servicemen and women are forced to return home long before they are ready, many end up feeling like they no longer serve a purpose and struggle with day-to-day living. When Marine Corporal Kionte Storey lost his leg and suffered other injuries during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, he made a conscious choice upon his return home that he would not only overcome his injuries, but also help and inspire other soldiers to overcome theirs as well.

Cirina Catania, director/cinematographer and founder of The Catania Group met wounded hero Kionte Storey when she was volunteering to shoot video and stills for an Orange Country based charity that provides furniture for wounded veterans.  “When I learned more about this amazing young man, I just had to do a story about his life, ” said Catania.  Currently in production on the documentary film Kionte Story-Athlete, Catania recently produced a 2-minute clip that was shown to other filmmakers at the Slamdance Film Festival during a presentation for Blackmagic Design.  Since it was one of the first looks of the film, Catania needed to tell the story well with color grading literally and subliminally matching the emotional wealth of the story. She called upon the expertise of AlphaDogs colorist, Sean Stack who is proficient in DaVinci Resolve.  Stack’s creative eye coupled with the tools available through Resolve, allowed for three very distinct looks to be created in the short 2-minute clip, thus adding to the emotional impact of each scene. “One of the reasons I love the Blackmagic line of cameras is the ability to shoot raw or at ProRes in film mode and paint each scene using Resolve in post,” said Catania. “I believe Sean and I accomplished something pretty remarkable and audiences will react positively to the clip. This is important, as we are working on building awareness for the project as we continue to move forward. AlphaDogs has a reputation for their commitment to independent film and it’s nice work with a facility and team that appreciates what you do, and helps make the product even better. They did a great job bringing the footage to life.”

Catania hopes audiences will be motivated by what they see on the screen. While Storey has suffered greatly with the loss of his leg, he hasn’t let that stop him from moving forward in life and becoming a better person. Storey explains, “It’s a new start, whatever injury you have, whatever you are dealing with, you have to make that work for you, instead of against you. Just because your leg hurts does not mean you can’t play a sport or be active.” Storey is passionate about running track and says that without it, his life would be boring and meaningless.  He enjoys competitions and trains daily. He hopes to gain a spot on the International Paralympic Team and travel the world helping others overcome their challenges.

Catania hopes to complete Kionte Storey-Athlete in time for a limited theatrical release on Veterans Day.  For more information visit:  http://www.thecataniagroup.com

To view the 2-minute clip visit https://vimeo.com/118564854

•  About The Catania Group:  The Catania Group, Inc., writes, produces, directs, shoot and post-produces compelling stories.  Since 1989, they have delivered creative and innovative content for film, television, and web-based clients in numerous countries around the globe.  In a field that is fast-paced and highly competitive, The Catania Group delivers on time, on budget and with a level of expertise that is unwavering.  Combing experience that comes with a combination of seasoned veterans and young fresh talent, they are always a step ahead with a futuristic and fresh approach to client’s needs and providing award-winning products.

•  About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit http://www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs In Pursuit Of New Religion

Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs is pleased to announce completion of color correction services for MTV’s True Life: I’m Breaking Up With My Religion.  Executive Produced for MTV Networks by Sharon Liese, founder of Herizon Productions and Jon Kroll of Loveable Scoundrels Productions, the show follows three young people who decide to break away from their religions and pursue other doctrines, all for very different reasons. 

Executive Producer Jon Kroll worked with AlphaDogs once again as a trusted partner in post-production to complete the finish for the show.  “I’ve worked with AlphaDogs before and was really happy with their work, so it was a no-brainer to work with them again,” said Kroll. “Whenever I work with AlphaDogs, I feel like they elevate the project.”

Color correction was completed under the scrutiny and skillful eye of president and lead colorist at AlphaDogs, Terence Curren. The show was shot on location in Los Angeles, Omaha and Dallas. Color correction for most reality television shows can be challenging due to uncontrolled production environments that typically have less than optimal lighting. What complicates things further is when multiple makes of cameras are used during production. Curren explains, “It’s difficult to get footage from more than one camera to match perfectly.  Creating a uniform look in color correction is essential in these type of situations if you want to avoid delivering a jarring viewing experience to your audiences.”  More information about the vital role color correction plays in the post-production process can be found in an educational video produced by the team at AlphaDogs.

AlphaDogs has provided quality color correction and post-production services to the television and film industry for over 12 years, creating customized workflows that fit needs specific to each project. Curren comments, “With the exponential growth of new technologies, traditional post-production workflows of yesterday no longer apply. At AlphaDogs we look beyond the basics of just color and audio services working with clients in carefully examining every aspect of the project to determine what type of workflow is best from both a time and budget perspective.  No two workflows are the same in today’s market and we do whatever it takes to help simplify the process.”

I’m Breaking Up With My Religion was delivered digitally on time and within budget.  Kroll comments, “I will continue to use AlphaDogs services because I know I can count on them to fix it in post no matter what happened in production.” 

I’m Breaking Up With My Religion can be watched online in its entirety.

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Blasts Off In Search Of Life On Mars

Burbank, CA—The fascination with the planet Mars has captivated audiences for decades.  From Hollywood movies depicting Martians as inhabitants to actual scientific space exploration using robotic probes, the red planet has continued to be shrouded in mystery with no conclusive evidence of life ever having existed.  In the new exciting documentary Red Planet Rover, new facts and findings will be unveiled with the results of Mars Curiosity rover’s first two years of explorations and finally answering the question “could life ever have existed here?” The documentary will air on The Discovery Channel, Thursday, December 18th at 10pm EST. [7pm or 10pm PST, depending on carrier. Check local listings.)

Independent writer/director/producer and founder of MDTV Productions Mark Davis, was in charge of overseeing post-production. Specializing in science and history films, Red Planet Rover is his 7th documentary on Mars exploration. Davis has spent considerable time at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA over the past 12 years and has been engaged with the mission at JPL since early in the planning stages, years before landing in August 2012 . “It’s exciting to work on shows where the stakes are high, the drama is real, and you don’t know how the story is going to end until it does,” said Davis.  There’s a lot of genuine human drama in a Mars mission, and I consider it a privilege to be close to that kind of action.”

Davis and John Beck-Hoffman, editor DP and music composer on the film chose to work with Burbank based AlphaDogs to complete the finish on the film. Colorist Sean Stack worked as a team with Davis under the tight time constraints and last minute changes that included extensive updates just before the air date. Beyond the color correction that was completed at the facility, new video and audio materials were delivered during the final hours that had to be matched with the existing master.  Having worked ton over 15 documentaries in just over 2 years, Stack’s skill and attention to detail in creating a look and sound specific to this genre was crucial in telling Curiosity Rovers’ story.  “Viewers should be drawn into the story and not distracted by any inconsistencies with the picture,” said Stack. “Whether it’s a person talking, or action in an establishing wide shot.”  

Now in their 12th year of business, AlphaDogs takes pride in delivering projects under demanding deadlines, without losing the personal touch and in making clients part of the team.  Red Planet Rover was delivered on time and within budget.  Davis comments, “AlphaDogs is meticulous in their work and really good at what they do.  Beyond that, they are willing to cope with my hectic schedule and grueling deadlines.  I’m very happy with the final product.  The show looks and sounds great and was delivered on time.  I would absolutely recommend AlphaDogs.”

For additional information visit:

About Mark Davis:  Mark Davis is an independent writer/director/producer.  Founder of MDTV Productions located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Davis has been making science and history films for PBS (NOVA, American Experience) and National Geographic for almost 30 years with Red Planet Rover being his first film with The Discovery Network.  He won an Emmy for the film Five Years On Mars, (NatGeo Channel, 2008) along with several other Emmy nominations and awards over the years.

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv

Network Deliverables Made Easy With AlphaDogs Digital Service Station

Burbank, CA—Demands placed on post-producers and supervisors in the new world of post-production are now more time consuming and complicated than ever. Having the correct tools and team in place to sort out a plethora of delivery specs while ensuring projects get delivered on time and within budget means partnering with a post- production facility that understands importance of technical quality and integrity associated with network deliverables. 

Providing both a collaborative and friendly work environment AlphaDogs has earned a following of loyal clients including producer-director Jordan Kelly Montgomery who has made AlphaDogs part of his production team after working with the company for a number of years.  Currently in production on the second season of Hoplite Entertainment’s Stable Wars for Fox Sports, Montgomery faced grueling delivery deadlines when the show suddenly received a lot of interest both domestically and abroad. Taking full advantage of AlphaDogs stringent QC practices and full finishing services using the Digital Service Station not only helps Montgomery prep for the show, but also ensures all pressing deadlines are met while delivering a finished product with no defects or deficiencies. Montgomery comments,  “AlphaDogs caught and fixed things that our editorial team simply wouldn't have time to even address and they did so without hurting our budget,” said Montgomery.

AlphaDogs Digital Service Station has been providing an alternative solution for delivering content in both an easy and affordable fashion since its inception in 2004 and has become a valuable tool for the post-production community. “The post-production process is not the same as it used to be,” explains AlphaDogs founder and CEO, Terence Curren. “Just the deliverables alone can become a full-time job in itself making it almost impossible for post supervisors to allot the close attention and time needed to be certain projects are truly ready for broadcast delivery. At AlphaDogs, clients have the ease of a one-stop drop off and the comfort of knowing that a professional team is handling their transfers and conversions.”  

Additional media services at AlphaDogs include encoding, DVD and Blu-ray authoring and Teranex processing for frame rate and standards conversions. AlphaDogs also provides full finishing services including, color, audio, and graphics for television, cinema and new media.

Montgomery comments, “Alpha Dogs works with all the top networks and knows what they expect. Their knowledge and experience gives me the piece of mind to know I'm in competent hands,” said Montgomery. General Manager, Paul De Cham and his team make you feel like family while they take your show to completion. I don't go anywhere else.”

Stable Wars is currently airing on Fox Sports. For show info and new listings check out:
facebook.com/StableWarsDelMar and twitter.com/StableWarsDM.

You can find more information about the Digital Service Station by visiting www.digitalservicestation.com.

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv.

Large Hadron Collider on Collision Course with AlphaDogs

Burbank, CA—First time director-producer Leland Montgomery had been stuck in an endless cycle of shooting and re-shooting his first web series for over nine months and was on the verge of giving up because the storyline wasn’t working.  Just when he was about to throw in the towel, fellow collaborator on the series, Zoe Chao suggested they abandon all they had done, refocus the series and make little vignettes for each of the characters instead. Thus was born the new dramatic web series, God Particles. The story follows a damaged group of L.A. millennials suddenly facing what may be the end of the world in a disaster caused by the Large Hadron Collider. Forced to examine who they really are and the choices they’ve made, they find themselves lost and adrift in the face of the apocalypse.

Upon shopping for a post facility to finish the series, Montgomery discovered that finding a team of professional artists who will treat your project with respect and dedication is not as easy as he had hoped. Web series are still viewed by many industry professionals as “secondary” content behind network, cable, and theatrical films, leaving many web series creators wondering which way to turn to find affordable quality post-production for their projects. Feeling like he had reached a dead-end, Montgomery then met with Burbank based AlphaDogs in hopes that they might take his project seriously. “What I really appreciated about AlphaDogs is that they genuinely seemed interested in the project,” said Montgomery. “I had a few meetings with other companies where they made me feel like they were doing me a favor by being there since God Particles was a micro budget web series and (I was) a first time director. AlphaDogs was very open to discussing different options and gave great creative input, as well as expert technical advice.”

In charge of developing the look for the series was AlphaDogs founder and lead colorist, Terence Curren.  Being a character-driven story, Curren worked on creating a feel and vibe reflective of the vapid, self absorbed L.A. millennial. Shot with a neutral picture style, Curren had a blank canvas of sorts to work with when collaborating with director Montgomery, allowing for lots of creative choices with color. “I approached this series in the same way I would any project for broadcast,” said Curren.  “On the creative side, I took just as much time and care as I always do. Color plays a vital role in storytelling, and it’s no different when it comes to a web series.”

Using utmost precision, AlphaDogs head of design Sean Williams worked on shots requiring removal of visible gear or production crew. “Honest dialogue with the client is key to VFX for a constrained project; it’s important to meet their needs while helping them manage their ‘wish list’ to find the really key shots that will enrich the story,” said Williams. Montgomery comments, “Sean was very smart and creative in the way he tackled these issues. I was nervous that it would be really expensive and difficult, but Sean was able to fix everything without going over budget.”

AlphaDogs audio engineer Curtis Fritsch was in charge of handling all audio aspects on God Particles. Web-based content is often viewed on mobile devices or laptops that have inexpensive speakers with less dynamic sound. When completing a mix for a web series the key is in making the mix louder so it’s audible at maximum volume on these devices, while at the same time being of high enough quality for optimum performance with high-end speakers. Fritsch explains, “Just because most web series are distributed on YouTube or Vimeo doesn’t mean the audio can be overlooked or neglected. We are headed toward a future with more web-based content and at AlphaDogs we recognize the importance of having the bar set just as high in the audio department when working on a web series as we do with our network television and theatrical projects.”

Montgomery’s inspiration to create the God Particles came from such films as Melancholia, Magnolia, and Less Than Zero. Montgomery explains, “I’m intrigued by the idea that although people can be awful, they can also have redemptive qualities and most importantly hoping their lives will be better.” Delivering on time and within budget, God Particles will premiere November 21st on Vimeo.

“I would definitely use AlphaDogs again,” said Montgomery. “What I find so awesome about the team is that they really invest in the projects they work on. It’s not just a job—it feels personal. I firmly believe in working with people you like. AlphaDogs team is friendly—they work quickly and are super-attentive. I would definitely recommend their services to anyone”

To watch the God Particles trailer visit vimeo.com/110331668

For additional information visit www.godparticles.tv or follow on Facebook

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more www.alphadogs.tv

First Naval Air Reserve Unit Descends Upon AlphaDogs

Burbank, CA—The humble beginnings of the United States military can be easily forgotten in today’s modern world where advanced military technology and drone strikes are becoming more prevalent and changing the face of warfare as we know it.  Resources were scarce at the beginning of World War I with the U.S. Naval Aviation consisting of just 48 officers and 239 enlisted men who had very limited aviation experience. Not to mention that there were only 54 aircraft available that were inadequately equipped for warfare. It was during this time in 1916 that the “The First Yale Unit”—otherwise known as “The Millionaires’ Unit”—was formed.  Comprised of 29 Yale college students, these courageous men taught themselves how to fly aircraft such as the Sopwith Camel, SPAD VII, the Curtiss Model F flying boat and more. The students became what is now known as the first naval air reserve unit.  In the documentary The Millionaires’ Unit: U.S. Naval Aviators In The First World War, audiences are taken on a journey back in time into the fascinating story of how the militia airmen from Yale changed the face of naval aviation forever. 

Seven years in the making and sprinting to make the deadline in time for the EAA AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, WI, which was less than a month away, filmmakers Ron King and Darroch Greer entrusted AlphaDogs would deliver the vision they had for the film. “When you’re bringing your baby to be cared for by strangers, it takes a sucked-in-gut and a leap of faith to sign on with a new post-house. You want the post crew to take it to heart and treat it as tenderly and thoughtfully as you would yourself. The staff confidently said they could accommodate us and their energy never flagged.”

The Millionaires’ Unit consisted of a wide range of source footage and mixed formats, each requiring a different look and feel for the story. AlphaDogs colorist Sean Stack worked one-on-one with the filmmakers in setting the look for the film. “Sean’s curiosity and attention to the story were thoughtful and encouraging,” said Greer. “Most of our WWI footage was shot in New Zealand with Red Epic Cameras using the same color palette, yet the footage had to represent the pilots training and four separate battle/dogfight sequences. Sean was able to give them all their own verisimilitude. New Zealand is beautiful and hardly looks war-torn, yet with desaturation and special attention to black levels, Sean gave several of the scenes an ominous and deadly feel.”  In addition, Stack also gave vintage photographs and recently shot HD interviews an overall balanced look to fit seamlessly into the story without becoming a distraction to viewers. Dynamic range was then added revealing detail in darker areas that would not otherwise be noticed including the expression of emotion on the pilots faces. Stack comments, “Aerial photography and vintage airplanes along with real stories of courageous young heroes. It's true American history, it's great to take part in telling the stories.”

Due to the high amount of low-resolution archival footage Stack decided it would be beneficial to work creatively outside of the box in an unlocked timeline to expedite the post-production workflow.  “Working in an unlocked timeline is not typical. It was quite a feat of organization. We added about a dozen partial timelines together that allowed us to get all the graded media assembled together,” said Stack. “It’s a bit unusual to move forward without a completely locked full resolution timeline, be we did it anyway. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the conform editor and the director working together in a collaborative environment to keep track of the footage. It was a successful juggling act, and we finished in time for the airshow.”

Using a DaVinci Resolve workflow, Stack was able to work collectively with AlphaDogs graphic design team in creating visual effects for the film. Select visual effects shots were created for the aerial dogfighting scenes and for an extended night bombing sequence where Stack applied a very dark blue grainy look giving a feel of “animated realism” to the scene. The bombing sequence required POV shots of enemy searchlights, timed to a first person account of the mission. Senior Animator & Designer Russell Frazier constructed these shots in After Effects from archival photographs and cloud footage, fabricating the search light beams and tracer fire. “Because the visuals illustrated a dramatic and personal account of the battle, our goal was to match the mood and impact of the author’s recollection,” said Frazier.

Another scene Frazier created required billowing smoke to be added to new footage of a vintage aircraft to simulate an emergency landing. The extensive movement of both the plane and the camera required separate tracks for each. The smoke element was created in Trapcode Particular, including the turbulence and wind effects.  Greer comments, “The fact that the VFX team was working without visual references and only with written descriptions of WWI-era anti-aircraft fire and searchlights was impressive.  In particular, the 3-D depth that Russell gave the searchlights from the POV of the planes was thrilling.”

AlphaDogs VP of Design Sean Williams did additional VFX scenes giving the story additional depth and vigor. “I was excited by the challenge of recreating WWI aerial dogfighting. By blending subtle VFX with beautifully shot footage of vintage planes, I hoped to heighten the drama of an already thrilling story,” said Williams.  “Having almost no archival sources of period tracer fire, the evocative written words of the actual pilots were instrumental in setting the look and feel. Very proud to have made a contribution to such a captivating story.”

The collaborative approach between the filmmakers and AlphaDogs during the post-process was instrumental in delivering a quality product that everyone was happy with. “It was fun plotting the workflow with the color and VFX and in making sure the effects would play against the color palette. The work—shot-by-shot—continually exceeded expectations. The entire crew was first-rate and made the birthing process feel safe and exciting. Even after we dropped the ball in coordinating our workflow, the team pitched in, picked up the pieces, and attended to each problem and detail as they were presented. More importantly, they made us feel proud of our work.  Indeed, we were able to walk out of AlphaDogs with smiles and pats on the back. I don’t think we could have made a better choice”

The Millionaires’ Unit is produced by Humanus Documentary Films with producers Ron King, Darroch Greer, Harry Davison, and Mike Davison.  For more information visit www.millionnairesunit.org

About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Celebrates The Lives of Cultural Icons Timothy Leary and Ram Dass

Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce completion of work on the new provocative documentary, Dying To Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary. Producer/Director Gay Dillingham and Associate Producer, Michael Donnelly take viewers inside the lives of life-long companions and cultural icons, Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) in the months preceding Leary’s death from cancer. Nineteen years in the making and narrated by Robert Redford with interviews spanning over 50 years, audiences are taken on an entertaining journey that celebrates the lives of two controversial complex characters. The film gives a new perspective on death and dying along with a rich history of how two Harvard professors became counter-culture icons and unlikely best friends. The world premiere of the film will be held on Saturday, October 4th at the Mill Valley Film Festival presented by the California Film Institute in San Rafael, CA. 

A common challenge in finishing documentary films is the wide variety of source footage a finishing editor has to contend with during color correction. Much of the extensive archival interview footage in Dying To Know was done years ago while SD was still the standard, with the more recent interviews being done in HD. To simplify the mixed format conversion, AlphaDogs Editor and Colorist, Sean Stack broke the documentary into three separate timelines before beginning the color correction process in DaVinci Resolve. “There’s always more to deconstruct and put back together on documentary films compared to features,” said Stack. “Features usually have one type of camera and format used, sometimes two, while documentaries run the gamut in terms of format, adding to the challenge of conforming for a color session.”

In the arc of the story, two different types of sources were used in archival footage of Leary and Alpert in the main interview that occurs throughout the documentary. DaVinci Resolve was utilized to balance out dramatically different grain structures and depth from the two sources, one Digital Betacam, the other being analog BetaSP. Stack took extra care in creating a seamless look so that viewers would not be distracted from the engaging story being told. This presented challenges that required isolating color corrections just on individuals faces. Stack explains, “Many of the subjects were very animated and moved their heads while talking. The amazing tracking feature in Resolve analyzed the movements and kept the isolated correction exactly where it needed to be in order to follow the face of the subject wherever they moved on the screen.”  

With decades of combined experience, the team at AlphaDogs understands the importance of combining the technical aspects of post-production with the creative side of storytelling. Dillingham comments, “I chose AlphaDogs to complete the finish on the film because I know they are a hard-working technically proficient team and they offer a great value for good quality work.”  Having worked on over 10 documentaries in just the past year alone, Stack takes pride in getting involved in each film. “I enjoy being taken into the lives of such interesting people,” said Stack.  “It’s almost as though I get to meet them personally, and it’s an honor to help share their stories with the rest of the world.”

Associate Producer Michael Donnelly also oversaw all post-production aspects of the film. “Working with the AlphaDogs post team was a pleasure.  The talented and good-humored crew consistently met, (and usually went beyond), the call in all aspects of their services: creative, technical, business, scheduling and delivery,” said Donnelly.   “Our complex project presented a variety of technical challenges, most due to its nearly 19-year gestation.  Unifying multiple formats, modern and retro styles, frame sizes and rates, visual effects, modern lettering, old stock film and photo elements could have been a nightmare and it wasn’t.  It was a dream come true.  Thank you, AlphaDogs.“  

Produced by CNS Communications, LLC of Sante Fe, NM, Dying To Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary is Directed and Produced by Gay Dillingham with Associate Producer Michael Donnelly.  For more information visit www.dyingtoknowmovie.com

About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs & Flickbag Inc. Celebrate Last Supper Winning Five Top Awards at San Francisco Global Movie Fest

Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs and Flickbag Inc. is pleased to announce Director Param Gill’s independent dramedy feature film Last Supper won five top awards at the 22nd San Francisco Global Movie Fest in San Jose, Calif. last month.  With a sold out theater screening audience of 1,000 viewers, Last Supper was named Best of Fest while Gill (Rockin’ Meera) was named Best Director and presented with $100,000, which has never been awarded until this year. Legendary comedian Eddie Griffin (Malcom & Eddie, Undercover Brother) took home the Best Actor award, Najarra Townsend (Contracted) won Best Actress, and Ludmil Kazakov, Best Editor. 

AlphaDogs Audio Engineer Curtis Fritsch completed the audio for the film that included a variety of challenges such as noisy background noise in the production audio and temporary visual effects. Working within an extremely tight deadline on delivery of the film, Fritsch customized an efficient workflow and timeline design to be certain the film would deliver on time without the quality of work being compromised.  Sound effects were also used from AlphaDogs extensive library to enhance the feel of the story. Gill comments, Wi The film delivered on time and within budget.” 

Last Supper is a funny, touching fairy tale about two romantic and ambitious lunatics, Fumnanya (Eddie Griffin) and Andy (Josh Meyers) who escape a mental institution with a video camera and set out to make a movie about their romantic quest to find a princess and be rewarded with a magical kiss. The duo encounters various obstacles, not the least of which is that their 'princess' turns out to be a suicidal and burned-out prostitute (Najarra Townsend). She enlists Fumnanya and Andy to help her, only to have her suicide plans defunct and her pimp Rocco (Dave Vescio) emerge as a menacing threat. But along the way, the trio ends up becoming overnight sensations on YouTube, as followers speculate whether the whole thing is a clever hoax or a moving, if unorthodox, attempt at redemption. 

Upon Gill receiving his directorial award, Consul General of India Shri N. Parthasarathi asked what his plans are for his monetary winnings. Gill responded, “I live and breathe film, so I’ll make another movie.”

The screenplay for Last Supper was co-written by John Buchanan and Gill. Griffin and comedic actor Josh Myers (madTV, Bruno) star in the film and are joined by Townsend, Joe Sabatino (General Hospital) and Mindy Robinson (Casting Couch) with a cameo by Penny Marshall (Laverne & Shirley). J Bhandal and Gill produced the film. It is due for release in theaters on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2014.

For more information on Last Supper and additional projects, visit the website at www.LastSupperMovie.com. 

About FlickBag, Inc.: FlickBag, Inc., founded by director and New York Film Academy graduate Param Gill, is a motion picture production and distribution company based in Silicon Valley, Calif., Beverly Hills, Calif. and Mumbai, India. It independently produces and distributes films across the world market with unique and cutting edge marketing.Visit www.FlickBag.com for more information


About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Visits Jay Leno’s Garage

Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce completion of work on Jay Leno’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week where audiences will be taken deep into the heart of Monterey Week, America’s ultimate automotive event. Along the way Jay scouts for vintage gems, gets exclusive first looks at outrageous concept cars, and takes an exclusive first drive of the 2015 Corvette Z06 at Laguna Seca.  The show premieres Sunday, August 31st at 10PM ET/PT on CNBC.

Executive Producer Tod Mesirow (Joe Rogan Questions Everything and Richard Hammond’s Crash Course) chose AlphaDogs as a trusted partner based on their stellar reputation in the community for talent and technical aptitude in delivering a quality product. "Alpha Dogs delivered in their usual top-tier, producer-friendly, 100% skilled fashion as they always do,” said Mesirow.   

Color correction was completed with use of Avid’s Symphony Nitris DX hardware under the skilled eye of President and lead colorist at AlphaDogs, Terence Curren.  As with most reality shows, footage is shot in uncontrolled environments with less than ideal production lighting. Curren comments, “One of the challenges I encountered during color correction was the constant change of weather at Pebble Beach between sunny and overcast skies. This also added to the difficulty of maintaining the proper colors of the exotic cars.” A veteran colorist by trade, Curren’s extensive experience with color correcting in these sort of situations allowed the show to deliver on time and within budget. “I love it when the client is happy with the final product. It’s why I do what I do.”

Re-recording mixer Erik Valenzuela completed the audio mix for the show using Avid’s Pro Tools.  Shot entirely on location this type of environment brings a fair share of challenges to the audio mix with the nuisance of noise such as wind and airplanes flying overhead that get in the way of the dialogue on the show. Valenzuela used Izotope RX and RX de-noiser to repair the audio removing any unwanted sounds while restoring clipped audio. “It’s extremely unpleasant to watch a show with annoying background noises.  It’s important to make sure even the slightest nuances are removed so that the audience isn’t distracted and jolted out of the moment of the story.”  

More than just a conventional post-facility, AlphaDogs has been providing personalized service for the Hollywood post community for the past 12 years working one-on-one with clients in providing the same services as larger companies without the inflated costs. Working in a collaborative environment with a team of talented artists, clients are made to feel at home with the personal service and attention that has become the hallmark of AlphaDogs.

Jay Leno's Garage: The Ultimate Car Week is produced for CNBC by Open 4 Business Productions in association with Big Dog Productions. Jay Leno and Tod Mesirow are the executive producers.
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About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv

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AlphaDogs Dishes Up Final Audio for Last Supper

Burbank, CA—With all the attention focused on a film’s visuals, its audio sometimes receives insufficient attention. The best cinematography and visual finish can be ruined by inadequate audio post-production, an outcome that separates the amateur from the professional filmmaker.

When filmmaker Param Gill recognized that the audio on his new film Last Supper needed extra attention, he followed a colleague’s recommendation and turned to AlphaDogs. Gill comments, “AlphaDogs is very professional with respect for deadlines and economical for indie filmmakers like myself.”

Last Supper had a variety of audio challenges to contend with, including an insufficient number of microphones used on set, noisy backgrounds in the production audio, and temporary visual effects. AlphaDogs Audio Engineer, Curtis Fritsch was quick to recognize that in order to work efficiently within the tight delivery deadline, a good workflow and timeline design would be crucial to make sure the quality of work would not be compromised.

Fritsch devoted roughly 60 percent of his time to cleaning up location audio and dialogue. Corruption in the lavalier recordings and noisy rooms presented a big problem in scenes where only one microphone was used. In order to make the dialogue as clear as possible, Fritsch used the Izotope Denoiser plug-in to reduce the offensive background noise while simultaneously boosting characters’ voices that were recorded low. Fritsch then used Soundminer Pro to search through AlphaDogs’ extensive library to find sound effects that could enhance the story. Fritsch explains, “One of the biggest mistakes of post-audio is sound effects being over-designed for the project. Often you get background ambience that is too loud or footsteps that are higher than the dialogue level. This can be caused by production audio restrictions, but it shouldn’t be an issue caused by the post-process.”

AlphaDogs has been providing clients with quality audio and re-recording mixing for film, television, gaming and new media content, as well as sound design and audio restoration since 2002. The facility uses shared Terrablock storage that allows for audio services to integrate seamlessly with other post-production services, including online editing and color correction. Pro Tools 5.1 surround sound mix stages feature HD monitors and expansive sound effect libraries.

Gill comments, “The sound mix turned out very well and we were extremely happy. The team had total respect for our deadline and realistic goals. I will definitely use AlphaDogs again for my next film.”

Last Supper is a funny, touching fairy tale about two romantic and ambitious lunatics (played by Eddie Griffin and Josh Meyers) who escape a mental institution with a video camera and set out to make a movie about a romantic quest to rescue a princess, with the reward being a magical kiss. Directed and produced by Param Gill, Last Supper also features Mindy Robinson, Yves Bright and Penny Marshall. Last Supper will be the opening night film at the annual San Francisco Global Movie Fest August 15-22nd.  To watch the trailer visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=znpnPmaJ-f0&spfreload=10

For more information visit www.lastsuppermovie.com/

About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district. AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Movie Night Interrupted by Mysterious Stranger

Burbank, CA—We’ve all heard the cliché “fix it in post” while working on a project, but what often is not given enough thought is who will fix it in post?  Choosing the right post-production facility to finish your project is something every independent filmmaker should take into careful consideration before production even begins.  Finding a trusted partner who can work with you from concept to finish and has a genuine interest in making sure your project looks and sounds its absolute best is key to getting your work noticed.  Post is no longer “just post” and in today’s world not all post-production facilities are the same when it comes to the level of service offered to indie filmmakers.

When planning the post-production phase for her film Movie Night, Anne McCarthy looked no further than Burbank-based AlphaDogs, having worked with them previously. “I now use AlphaDogs exclusively after they were able to fix a problem I had on a past project in just 24 hours. I knew my film would be in good hands and would not have risked taking it anywhere else.” said McCarthy.  

Movie Night is a horror film with a comedic twist about a group of friends who get together to watch a movie at home, when suddenly a mysterious stranger shows up.  To add to the story’s spine-chilling feel, AlphaDogs VP of Design Sean Williams helped McCarthy realize several visual effects. "It was refreshing to work with a client who wanted to meet and discuss visual effects before shooting. Many indie filmmakers wait until the project is in the can before talking to an effects artist. Our discussion helped Anne figure out what she could do on-set to expedite a dramatic visual moment that would be created in post, while saving time and money in the process. I wish more filmmakers were like Anne, willing to reach out to a project's end-stage partners and bring their insights to the table earlier in the process."

McCarthy comments. “I was thrilled with the results.  The shots look beautiful and very organic.  This was my first foray into the VFX process and Sean took extra time to work with me one-on-one to help me achieve what I envisioned for the film.”

AlphaDogs Audio Engineer Curtis Fritsch addressed specific challenges with the film’s audio that McCarthy didn’t believe could be fixed in post that included an audio echo removal and a noisy outdoor AC unit that rattled over the actor’s dialogue. “I didn’t think it was possible to fix the problems with the audio.”  said McCarthy. “I was impressed that Curtis fixed both problems in less than 30 minutes.”

Working in a collaborative environment, AlphaDogs consults closely with clients going beyond the services of a typical post-house by offering an education on the post-production process itself.  President & CEO Terence Curren explains, “We believe in teaching the client how and why things are done. We see them as important part of our team and include them in both the creative and technical aspects that go into completing the finish on a project. We believe it’s important to take the fear out of post and make the experience an enjoyable one. Clients walk away with skills to plan more effectively for future productions thus making workflows easier and more cost efficient.”  

McCarthy comments, “Working with AlphaDogs helped me build my knowledge base, and what can be done in post-production to make everything look and sound great. It pushes me further as a director. I like that.” 

Movie Night is written, directed and produced by Actress Anne McCarthy. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Movie-Night/633591450055878 

About Anne McCarthy:  Anne began her filmmaking career after the launch of her YouTube Channel The Weekly Sketch.  It’s here where McCarthy started writing comedy sketches for her own acting career which then lead to writing, directing and acting in her own films.  Movie Night is McCarthy’s third short film to date.  She has completed a total of 14 comedy sketches and three short films since November of 2012. 

About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Digital Service Station® Provides Alternative Solution for Delivering Content

Burbank, CA—Preparation for post-production deliverables is often an overwhelming and tedious experience. Getting the correct tools in place to cover the plethora of delivery specs that now exist in today’s marketplace while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within the allotted budgets can frustrate even the most seasoned professional. Most independent content producers are not given the luxury of owning expensive professional videotape machines, not to mention the insurance required to operate legally. Working with limited production and post-production crews can make the task at hand even more daunting. AlphaDogs Digital Service Station® has been providing an alternative solution for delivering content in both an easy and affordable fashion since its inception in 2004 and has become a valuable tool for independent content creators, saving considerable time and money.

Created by Terence Curren, President and CEO of AlphaDogs, the Digital Service Station works as a one-stop solution for capturing or transcoding camera source material into Avid, Final Cut or Adobe Premiere edit-ready media, with output to tape or drive, using the latest high quality HD and SD equipment. Quality assurance checks are performed with extreme diligence to ensure each project that goes out the door looks its absolute best and meets the required network specifications.  Curren explains “Digital Service Station was created to take the worry out of project deliverables. This has become even more complex with the addition of file-based deliverables of various types in addition to tape-based delivery. At AlphaDogs, clients have the ease of a one-stop drop-off and the comfort of knowing that a professional team is handling their transfers and conversions. For those more technically inclined, our workstations are available for do-it-yourselfer’s who can rest easy that technical support is just down the hall”

Offering services in multiple locations across the United States and Canada, The Digital Service Station continues to expand and has become well known amongst industry professionals as the “personal post-production assistant” that assists in getting your finished project out to the world.  All clients need to do is shoot and edit.

You can find more information about the Digital Service Station on Linked In and by visiting www.digitalservicestation.com 


About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more www.alphadogs.tv

Bacon-Crazed AlphaDogs Spotted At Blue-Ribbon Bacon Festival

Burbank, CA- Just mentioning the word bacon leaves most people’s mouth watering and conjures up endless images of how to best enjoy this highly versatile and tasty snack.  In the feature-length reality-style mockumentary State Of Bacon, filmmaker Jason Cook takes audiences inside the fun and wacky Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival that brings out some of the most bacon-crazed Americans you will ever meet.  Held annually in Des Moines, IA the festival has doubled in size every year with tickets selling out in just minutes. 

Having worked with AlphaDogs colorist, Sean Stack on previous projects, Cook once again called upon Stack’s skill and expertise in the realm of color correction. State Of Bacon was shot entirely on location using seven different camera models. While multi-camera shoots are a great way to capture footage from different angles, color imbalances within the picture can be a problem. Uncontrolled lighting environments and distinctive color filter differences between cameras give the film an inconsistent look that is noticeable to audiences.  Accustomed to working with mixed formats, Stack began the color grading process by carefully matching the color and contrast from the variety of source footage before setting the look desired by the filmmaker. “For a project like State Of Bacon, color plays such a huge role in smoothing out the textures, and helps to tell the story,” said Cook.  Stack created a unique style for specific segments within the story including one scene that required a dreamy and youthful romantic feel, while another demanded a gritty look with high contrast and color saturation.  Stack comments, “It makes for a fun collage of colors and flavors.  I felt like it really blended with the humor and silliness that goes along with an event such as a bacon festival.”

Stack has worked on over ten feature-film documentaries in the past year alone using color to enhance the feel and tone of the stories being told.  Treating each project as though it was his very own, his creative approach and attention to technical details keep him in high demand with AlphaDogs clients.  “I was very happy with the final delivery,” said Cook.  “I've worked with Sean before and have always been very happy with what he is able to accomplish.”

State Of Bacon is written, produced, and directed by Founder of Digital Cuvee, Jason Cook, and will be released in dinner theaters across the US later this year.  Visit http://www.stateofbaconmovie.com for more information.
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About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit http://www.alphadogs.tv

AlphaDogs Takes A Thrill Ride Through Dark Places

Burbank, CA—While making an independent film is mostly a very rewarding experience, things can also become very stressful and overwhelming along the way, particularly when it comes time for final delivery.  With festival deadlines looming, tight budgets, and the daunting task of navigating through what the post-process entails, filmmakers often times are not sure where to begin. The first step is to find a reputable post-production facility that specializes in the needs of the indie filmmaker. It’s important to find a facility that will take the time to listen and work with you every step of the way to ensure delivery of a high quality film.

When Director Jody Wheeler began shopping for a post-house to complete the finish on the feature film titled The Dark Place, he looked no further than AlphaDogs after hearing of their excellent reputation in working with the independent filmmaker.  Wheeler comments, "The staff was incredibly knowledgeable about their subject areas.  They were willing to answer questions about our needs, allowing us to figure out the best way to mesh our workflows and achieve the best possible final results."

Editor and Colorist, Sean Stack completed color correction for the film in DaVinci Resolve.  A round-trip workflow was required to conform files from FCP X into Resolve which the AlphaDogs team is skilled in handling.  Stack took extra care in scrutinizing the clips for any potential problem areas before meeting with the client to set the tone and style for the film. "This was the first time we’ve delivered a project at this level with this many requirements, across both visual and sound,” said Wheeler.  “AlphaDogs experience served as a wonderful touchstone. They identified some areas we hadn't seen and, even better, already had fixes in place that were easy to implement, keeping us on track and within our budget."

Audio for the film included balancing the sound effects and dialog, along with sound design on key scenes.  AlphaDogs Audio Mixer, Curtis Fritsch made certain that the deliverables not only met the client’s expectations, but also made sure they would be easy to change if the need should arise.  Fritsch explains, “With a 5.1 surround mix alone that’s six different audio files just for the full mix.  This doesn’t include other deliverables, such as separate music, special effects, and dialog, which gives you quite a few tracks by the end, especially if you are delivering in stereo as well.”


AlphaDogs has been providing quality post for the budget conscious filmmaker since 2002, offering both creative and innovative solutions that save time and cut costs in the finish and delivery of feature films.  Wheeler comments, "We were incredibly happy with the final delivery of the film, and most importantly our distributor was happy. We were one of the fasted projects to meet their quality control standards. They were impressed and so were we. Alpha Dogs will be a great resource for finishing our next film project.”

The Dark Place is quick-paced and suspenseful, with a dash of humor that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats when a series of ominous and mysterious events unfold in life of Keegan Dark, who has the uncanny ability to remember his life in videographic detail. Both a blessing and a curse, Dark uncovers a conspiracy that frames him for murder, threatens his inheritance, and endangers his family’s lives and livelihood. 

The Dark Place is written, directed and produced by Jody Wheeler at Blue Seraph Productions with producers J.T. Tepnapa and Carlos Pedraza and distributed by Shoreline Entertainment. For more information visit http://www.thedarkplacemovie.com
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About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit http://www.alphadogs.tv

Beer-Soaked Knight In Shining Armor Rides Through AlphaDogs

Burbank, CA—Burbank-based AlphaDogs announced they have completed post services for the new romantic comedy Pacoima Can Wait. The story follows the adventures of self-destructive Nigel Waferhouse who through his humiliating calamities discovers he can still be a knight, even if it’s in beer-soaked shining armor.  The film will screen later this year at film festivals across the country.

Uncertain there was anything that could be done to make the audio sound better, filmmaker Rob Roy Cesar brought Pacoima Can Wait to AlphaDogs upon the recommendation of a fellow film composer. Audio is an extremely important element in the filmmaking process, but many times does not receive the attention it deserves due to budget constraints or inexperienced audio engineers who may lack the skills in making a movie sound its absolute best. While it’s easy to stay focused on just the picture element, a film without quality audio can make even the best picture look bad. Upon meeting the AlphaDogs team, Cesar’s concerns with the audio were put at ease. “I was greeted by a very friendly environment, said Cesar.  Everyone was not only very knowledgeable, but enthusiastic.  I felt extremely confident that they would be able to fix the problems I was facing with the film’s audio.”

AlphaDogs Audio Engineer, Curtis Fritsch worked with Cesar to identify problematic areas within the film including excessive wind noise, dialogue cleanup, as well as new voice over and music sequences for the final mix.  Removing wind noise is typically an extremely difficult and time-consuming process that involves taking apart and reconstructing rough areas within each audio track. Fritsch’s tool of choice was Izotope RX plugins that were used to isolate and repair the audio tracks, removing wind noise while restoring any clipped audio. “I wasn’t sure if AlphaDogs could fix the wind noise in a couple of sequences, but sure enough Curtis was able to eliminate them,” said Cesar. 

Camera audio was used as a primary source in the editing, which is prone to pick up a lot of background noises that drown out the actor’s dialog, making it inaudible.  Salvaging audio of this nature is not easy and is usually quite tricky. It takes a keen ear, and lots of patience. Fritsch comments, “Luckily they were other microphones used during production which made the dialogue easier to hear.  By cleaning up the audio from all the mics used, I was able to deliver seamless dialogue within the troublesome scenes.”

Meticulously crafting creativity with technical savvy, AlphaDogs has provided full-service post-production for features, television and new media since 2002, working one-on-one with clients in delivering highest-quality work. “I would use AlphaDogs again without hesitation,” said Cesar. “I was happy that the final delivery was finished expediently and quite thrilled that they went the extra mile adding more sound sweetening than I expected.”

Pacoima Can Wait is written, produced and directed by Rob Roy Cesar. For more information visit http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2467290/
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About AlphaDogs:  Founded in 2002, AlphaDogs is an independently owned full service post-production facility located in the center of Burbank’s media district.  AlphaDogs gifted team brings a combination of both creative talent and technical expertise paying extra attention to detail in delivering projects with a personal touch. State of the art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. To learn more visit http://www.alphadogs.tv